Steam-power installation



March 5, 1929.. I J. M cAgLuM ET AL H 1,704,441

fiTEAM POWER INSTALLATION Filed Dec. 5, 1927 9 1? a 2 guns/v mks 0 37 ram/5y Patented Mar. 5, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MCCALLUM, F GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, AND HARRY PERCIVAL HARVEY ANDERSON, OF SURREY, ENGLAND.

STEAM-POWER INSTALLATION.

Application filed December 5, 1927, Serial No. 237,969, and in Great Britain January 4, 1927.

This invention relates to steam power installations in which exhaust steam from a steam power unit is cooled and thereafter returned to the water space of a steam generator, preferably in the form of a mixture of steam and water (known as steamwater According to the present invention, we provide, in a steam power installation of the type stated, a cooler comprising an inlet chamber into which exhaust steam from the steam power unit is passed, and an outchamber, adapted to communicate with the inlet chamber by a valve-controlled con-- duit, or valve-controlled conduits, acted on by cold water or other cooling medium.

Preferably the cooler is also provided with a valve controlled passage through which exhaust steam can be passed directly from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamher.

The means to control the aforesaid con duit or conduits may comprise a pair of slide or other valves, one disposed at the inlet end of the conduit or conduits and the other disposed at the outlet end thereof, the said palr of valves being preferably operable so as to vary the openings at the inlet and outlet ends of the conduit or conduits simultaneously.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the an nexed drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view of one form of cooler in vertical half-section; and

Fig. 2' is a similar view of a modified form of cooler.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings The housing 1 is provided with ahollow base 2 and a top cover 3. Between the base 2 and the bottom of the housing 1, a plate 4 is secured. This plate is apertured so as to receive the ends of inverted U-tubcs 5 projecting upwardly into the housing 1.

By means of a transverse wall 6, the base 2 is divided into inlet and outlet chambers 7 and 8 respectively, adapted to communicate with each other through the U-tubes The chambers 7 and 8 are also adapted to communicate directly with each other through a bye-pass tube 9, controlled by a valve 10. A curved pipe 11 forms a continuation of the tube 9, the outlet end of the said. pipe 11 projecting into the flared mouth of a nozzle 12 formed in the bottom of the outlet chamber 8.

The inlet chamber 7 communicates with the exhaust of the steam power unit (not shown) by means of an opening 7, whilst the nozzle 12 of the outlet chamber 8 is connected by piping 8 through the medium of pumping means to the Water s ace of the steam generator (not shown). he bottom surface of the plate 4, after the fitment therein of the U-tubes 5, is machined and scraped true so as to constitute a smooth valve face for a pair of slide valves 14 and 15. The top of the base 2 is formed with a broad flange 2, equal in circumference with the plate 4, and provided with a short upright portion round its outer edge ada ted to effect a fluid ti ht joint between the ase 2 and plate 4 ant at the same time consti tute therebetween grooves 14" and 15, in which thevalves 14 and 15 respectively are slidably supported.

()n the underside of the valves 14 and 15 split nuts 16 and 17 are provided, the nut 16 being adapted to receive a right-handed screw-thread 18 and the nut 17 to receive a left-handed screw-thread 19. The screwthreads 18 and 19 are made with the same pitch and are formed on the same spindle 20, which is rotatably mounted in bearings 21 in the base 2. Inasmuch as the nuts 16 and 17 are split they can be adjusted on the spindle independently of each other, thus permitting initial setting of the valves 14 and 15.

By means of a hand-wheel 22, the spindle 20 can be rotated so as to move the slide valves 14 and 15 either towards or away from each other. The said valves are set upon the spindle 20 so that, simultaneously with movement of the valve 14 in one direction to uncover or cover the inlet end of a U-tube or tubes 5, the valve 15 is moved in the opposite direction so as to uncover or cover respectively the outlet end of the same U-tube or tubes 5 correspondingly.

For the circulation of cooling water through the housing 1, inlet and outlet open ings 23 and 24 respectively are provided. Tubes 25 are provided in the upper part of the housing 1 for the purpose of reheating air for the furnace (not shown)-o the aforesaid steam generator, the air being drawn from the atmosphere,through the, tubes 25,

manifold 26, and pipe 27 by means of fans (not shown).

Referring, to Fig. 2 of the drawings The cooler shown in this figure is substantially similar to that illustrated in Flf". 1, and like reference numerals appearing in both figures denote similar parts. It will be seen, however, that the U-tubes 5 comprised in the cooler shown in Fig. 1 are replaced by two sets of straight tubes 28 and 29 whose upper ends open into a common header '30. The tubes 28 and 29 and header 30 constitute a continuous water-cooled conduit, between the inlet and outlet chambers 7 and 8. As will also be seen from Fig. 2, the housin 1 in this modification is not provided with air preheating tubes.

3y means of the valves lit and 15 hereinbefore described, the steam power installation can be arranged to operate with ditl'ercut back pressures or with a partial vacuum on the steam power unit.

The valve 10 ot the bye-pass tube 9 may compri; a needle or other valve controlled either manually, or antomatically in the latter case preferably by a diaphrz gm or piston acted on by the exhaust steam pressure. The flow of cooling water is also preferably regulated in similar fashion.

As will be obvious from the draviigs, the circular plate 4 terms in each case the sole support for the water cooled tubes 5 or 28 and 29 and thus expansion and contraction of the said tubes can talte place freely without distortion of adjacent parts of? the cooler.

If desired, a plurality of inlet chambers and outlet chambers may be arranged to communicate with one another as aforesaid either in parallel or in series.

Although we have described a construction of the cooler in which the flow throuoh the watercooled tubes is controlled by slide valves, it obvious that valves of other types only be used tor the same pu pose and that instead of operating the valve by a. spindle formed i'ith right and left handed screw-threads. we may provide other operating gear, such as a pinion enga i the opposed ra ks. each connected herein described. rotation ot the pinion in one or the other direction cllcctingr movcmeld ot the elves towards or away trom each other simultaueluisly. ()thcr modiliczu tions may be made within the scope ot the. invention.

Having new fully described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is z- 1. A cooler tor a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising an inlet cham her into which exhaust steam from the r am power unit is passed, an outlet chamber. any suitable number of valve-centrelled conduits establishing communication between the steam inlet and outlet chambers, means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium such as cold v: tor, and valve-controlled means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inletchamber can be 1 asscd directly to the outlet chamber.

A cooler for a steam power installation oi the type stated, comprising: an inlet chamber into which exhaust steam from the steam power unit is i assed. an outlet chamber, any suitable number of conduits el-itablishino communication between the inlet and outlet chambers, a pair of slide valves disposed one at the inlet end and one at the outlet cud of the condu' s, means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium such as cold water, and ralvecontrolled means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inlet chamber can be passed directly to the outlet chamber.

3. A cooler for a steam power installation oil the type stated comprising; an inlet chain-- her into which exhaust steam from the steam power unit is passed, an outlet chamber, any suitable number of conduits establishing; communication between the inlet and outlet chamlmrs. a pair of slide valves disposed one at the inlet end and one at the outlet end of inlet and outlet ends of the coni'luits, means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium such as cold \atcr.

4. A cooler "for a steam power installation ol the type stated, comprising an inlet chamber into which exhaust steam :trom the steam power unit is passed, an outlet chamber, any suitable nuinl er of conduits ef-itablishing communication between the inlet and outlet chambers, a pair of slide valves disposed one at the inlet end and one at the outlet end of the conduits, means for simultaneously operating the valves to vary the opening at the inlet and outlet ends oi the conduit means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action ol :1. cooliiuz me dium such as cold water and valve-controlled means whereby exhaust s am admitted to the inlet chamber can be passed directly to the outlet chamber.

.3. ll coolcclor a steam power installation it the type slated. comprising an inlet chamicr into which exhaust steam f om the steam lower unit is passed. an outlet (ll2lllll)"l' my f. able number of conduits establish-- inc communication between the inlet and outlet chambers, a pair of slide iuilves dieposod one at the inlet end and one at the outlet end oi the conduits, split nuts on the slide valves. a ri 'htand left-handed screwthreadcu'l opera t no; spindle engaging: the nuts. and means whereby the conduits can be sulii iectcd to the action of: a coolina' medium such as cold water.

6. A cooler for a steam power installation ill of the type stated, comprising an inlet chamber into which exhaust steam from the steam power unit is passed, an outlet chamber, any suitable number of conduits establishing communication between the inlet and outlet chambers, a pair of slide valves disposed one at the inlet end and one. at the outlet end of the conduits, split nuts on the slide valves, a rightand left-handed screwthreaded opera-ting spindle engaging the nuts. means whereby the conduits can be sub ected to the action of a cooling medium such as cold water, and valve-controlled means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inlet chamber can be passed directly to the outlet chamber.

7. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhauststeam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed apertured plate completing the base and constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base c 'i-operating with said valve face, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide. valves, and means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium.

8. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed apertured plate completing the base and constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base co-operating with said valve face, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide valves, means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium, and valve-controlled means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inlet chamber can be passed directly to the outlet chamber.

9. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprisingwa hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam trom the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed apertured plate completing the base and constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base co-oper ating with said valve face. means for simultaneously operating the valves to vary the openings at the plate in the inlet and outlet chambers, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide valves, and means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium,

let chambers under the control of the slide valves, and means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium. i

11. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed apertured plate completing the base and constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base co-operating with said valve face, split nuts on the slide valves, a rightand left-handed screw-threaded operating spindle engaging the nuts, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide valves, and means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium.

12. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed apertured plate completing the base and constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base co-operating with said valve face, split nuts on the slide valves, :1 rightand lefthanded screw-threaded operating spindle engaging the nuts, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide valves, means whereby the conduits can be subjected to the action of a cooling medium, and valve-controlled means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inlet chamber can be passed directly to the outlet chamber.

1.3. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed the control of the slide valves, and a housinp for the circulation of a cooling medium surrounding the conduits.

14. A cooler for asteam povver installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed aperture-d plate completing: the base and constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base (o-operating with said valve lucc, conduits extending; from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication between the inlet and outlet chan'ibcrs under the control. of the slide valves, a, housing for the circulat-ion of a cooling medium suriounding the conduits, and means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inlet chamber can be passed directly to the outletchamber.

15. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base (l'lVi( ed by a partition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, av fined apertured plate conualetinf; the base and. constituting a valve face, slide valves in the base cooperating with said valve taee, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish communication botaveen the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide valves, a housing For the circulation of a cooling medium sur rounding the conduits, and air heating tubes traversing the housing.

16. A cooler for a steam power installation of the type stated, comprising a hollow base divided bv a petition into an inlet chamber for exhaust steam from the steam power unit and an outlet chamber, a fixed aperturcd plate completing the base and constituting a valve 'lace, slide valves in the base co-operating' with said valve face, conduits extending from the apertures in the plate so as to establish connnunication between the inlet and outlet chambers under the control of the slide valves, a housing for the circulation 01: a cooling medium surrounding the conduits, means whereby exhaust steam admitted to the inlet chamber can he passed directly to the outlet chamber, 

